RIED0523 - Recovering from long-term Sertraline use

[RIED0523]

Hello,

 

From the age of 12 until 23, I took sertraline every day to help with social anxiety. At age 23, I felt as though I had overcome my anxiety and wanted to see how I functioned without medication. I decided I didn't want to have to rely on medication for the rest of my life. In addition, I felt like the sertraline wasn't having as much of an effect on me. Under the guidance and instructions of my psychiatrist, I tapered completely off of the sertraline in November.

 

During the first month or so of being off the medicine, I felt decent. I didn't seem to be having any of the usual withdrawal effects that are typically associated with stopping antidepressants. However, after Christmas, I began noticing painful, throbbing headaches around the temples. The headaches would occur almost every morning upon waking up as well as various times throughout the day. During these headaches, it would become very difficult to concentrate or focus. I tried to rule out what had been causing the headaches. My blood work and CT scan came back normal. I was no longer taking any other medication except for fish oil.

 

In addition to the headaches, I began to experience some other problems. Short-term memory issues, foggy and confused thinking, and sporadoic episodes of depression. I also noticed brain fog/blurred thinking after exercise. After ruling out a thyroid issue, brain tumor, and anemia, I was beginning to grow a little uneasy at this point. I was afraid that the symptoms were associated with coming off sertraline and I had significantly altered my brain chemistry. I began to monitor my diet very closely as well but couldn't make any real connections.

 

After approximately five months of being off the sertraline and feeling poorly, I decided to go see a natural/organic medical doctor and seek his advice. I wanted to avoid getting back on antidepressants at all costs. He believed that some of my symptoms were from seretonin no longer bring produced/recycling in my brain and that I would benefit greatly from 150 mg of 5-htp, 2 b-complex twice a day, 5000 IU of vit d3, 100 mg of COQ10, and fish oil. In addition, for my other symptoms, he ordered some blood work to be done. My testosterone levels were found to be low.

 

I am currently trying to raise my T levels and following the supplement regimen prescribed to me by the doctor. I have noticed slight improvement in my symptoms but still suffer many days. I have been on the supplement regimen for almost four months now. The headaches are less frequent but I still feel like my brain does not work the same way that it used to and still get very depressed some days. It's hard to think clearly about certain things and feel like I am thinking in slow motion oftentimes.

 

I'm remaining hopeful that things will continue to improve. I honestly feel like getting off sertraline threw my while system off. Can getting off antidepressants interfere with the production of other neurotransmitters besides seretonin (like dopamine, ACh, GABA)? If there is anyone that has experienced anything similar to my story or has any input/feedback, I would love to hear it and appreciate it very much.

 

 

 

 

 

[mammaP]

Hi Ried and welcome to SA. I suspect that what you are feeling is withdrawal from sertraline

and it saddens me that you were taking them from such a tender age  . I'm sorry you are suffering like this.

One of the experts will be along soon who can advise you. You are in the right place and will get good advice

and support here. 

[basildev]

Hi Reid,

 

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you've found us. 

 

Since you have been off the sertraline for many months, reinstatement may not work - however, it might be worth a try to reinstate a very small dose of the medication to see if this helps. Could you please tell me what dose you were taking before you quit?

 

Also - a word of warning about supplements. They can sometimes do more hard than good, and may be exacerbating your symptoms. We recommend that if you are going to take supplements:

 

1) you introduce them slowly, at a low dose and one at a time. That way you can tell which supplement is working and which is not. If the supplement helps, you can slowly increase the dosage. If not, you can discontinue;

2) You avoid taking supplements that include a number of ingredients, because if you have an adverse reaction you won't know which particular element is causing the problem

 

When natural therapists prescribe supplements, they are doing so under the premise that your central nervous system is stable in the first place. Your CNS is compromised and unstable, and as a result you may be hypersensitive to these compunds

 

For my part, if I had my time over again I would not have taken any supplements at all. I am hypersensitive to the lot, and it only delayed my healing.

 

So, let me know what dosage you were originally taking and we can take it from there:)

[RIED0523]

Thanks so much for the replies both mammaP and basildev! I am very grateful that I found this site. At the time I went to see the psychiatrist about getting off sertraline, I was taking 200 mg. Yes, I was worried about taking so many supplements at first because I always thought you get adequate amounts from a well-rounded diet. Thanks again!

[Jemima]

It sounds to me like you're definitely having withdrawal symptoms from sertraline.  Here's our topic on the subject:

 

Tips for Tapering Zoloft

 

Absolutely, getting off antidepressants can and does interfere with the production of other neurotransmitters besides serotonin, such as dopamine and GABA.  (I'm not sure what ACh is.)  As for the supplements, many people find the full B-complex to be too stimulating and 5-HTP is a very iffy supplement for someone in withdrawal (see 5-HTP and Tryptophan)

 

When you have a chance, please add your drug history to your signature (directions).

 

Welcome to the forum, Ried.  You'll find lots of solid information and friendly support here.

[basildev]

Hi Reid,

 

You may want to try reinstating a very small dose of your medication, say 10mg to start with to see if that helps alleviate the symptoms.

[RIED0523]

Okay, reinstatement sounds like a possibility. Have you heard of any one who has had success with reinstatement? 

 

Also, is it possible that coming off antidepressants could have a negative effect on the endocrine system? After I exercise, I feel like my symptoms are at their worst. I feel intense brain fog/fuzzy and slow thinking a couple of hours after lifting weights and/or running. I'm guessing this has something to do with hormones. Thanks! 

[basildev]

Yes, withdrawal definitely affects your endocrine system. Gentle exercise is good, but don't overdo it, otherwise it will worsen the symptoms.

 

And yes, there have been many people who have reinstated successfully.

 

The key is to be patient. For some people it can take days to feel better, for others weeks and for some it takes many months to feel better.

[Dani]

Hi Ried!! Sending you hugs & support

[RIED0523]

Hi Ried!! Sending you hugs & support

Thanks, Dani! Same to you!

[RIED0523]

Yes, withdrawal definitely affects your endocrine system. Gentle exercise is good, but don't overdo it, otherwise it will worsen the symptoms.

 

And yes, there have been many people who have reinstated successfully.

 

The key is to be patient. For some people it can take days to feel better, for others weeks and for some it takes many months to feel better.

 

After successful reinstatement, then what? A very slow taper? I just feel like I would be going in the wrong direction if I started relying on the antidepressant to feel decent again. Although it's VERY tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel some days, I'd like to think I can beat this on my own and never have to go near those pills again.

[basildev]

 

After successful reinstatement, then what? A very slow taper?

 

Yes, for 2 reasons - first it is the safest way to come off antidepressants. Secondly, your CNS has been compromised so it may be extra sensitive to cuts the next time.